Page 85 of Waiting for Redemption

“Whoa, hey little man.” Tank catches him just in time as Hendrix Koala holds onto him. “Did you have a good time?”

“Yes. I helped make Cece stop crying with my funny moves.” He smiles proudly.

“Hey, sorry. I was just getting her down for a nap,” Shane says, walking into the room holding a baby monitor. Motherhood really looks good on her. I’m sure she would argue that fact right now seeing as she’s still in her pajamas, her blonde hair is thrown into a messy bun on top of her head and she has milk stains on her shirt that I won’t be pointing out. But the happiness that radiates from her when she’s talking about or holding Cece, tells me she was absolutely born to be a mother.

“Don’t ever apologize tomeabout doing motherly things. You know I get it.” I wink at her, leaning in to give her a hug. Max hands Tank Hendrix’s backpack and Maverick’s leash while Hendrix still hangs all over Tank like some deranged spider monkey, and I can’t help but get this warm feeling in my gut that this is something that’s going to become normal soon enough—Tank and I doing things together that I used to do alone.

“Thanks for everything. We better get going though. We gotta stop by the apartment before we head home.”

Home. He called my house home.

“You’re coming home with us?” Hendrix says excitedly, worrying me for only a second that I didn’t think to mention that to him before. God, my mind has been shit lately.

“Sure am.” Tank bobs Hendrix’s head back and forth with his hand.

“Like forever?”

“Like forever. That sound like a plan to you?” He stops moving him long enough to let him respond.

“Yeah!” He throws his arms around Tank’s waist as Tank pats his back.

Forever.

“Let’s roll then. Maverick, come,” Tank commands, sending shivers down my spine at the authoritativeness in his tone.

“Bye Uncle Max, bye Shane.” Hendrix hugs them both before barrelling out the door, racing the dog to the truck.

“See you guys later.” I walk out behind Hendrix as Tank drapes his arm over my shoulder, kissing my temple as we walk over to the car. Hendrix wastes no time getting in and getting himself buckled, but before I get my door open Tank stops me and spins me around, putting himself between me and the truck.

“What’s wrong?” He runs his fingers through the base of my hair, pulling me into him as his lips capture mine. I freeze for a moment before settling into him, wrapping my arms around his waist as the heat spreads through my body. Every touch, every glance, every kiss that comes from him makes me completely melt.

“It’s been entirely too long since I kissed my wife.” He winks at me, and I involuntarily bite my lip before I hear someone clear their throat behind me.

“Um. Hendrix left Spidey,” Shane says, handing me a plush Spider-Man as I turn around to face her. She doesn’t say anything else but the look on her face is practically screaming at me.

“Thank you, he uh, would definitely be missing this later.” Nervous laughter fills the air as Shane stares back at me with a raised brow.

“Uh huh.” She crosses her arms over her chest.

“Okay so, byeeee.” I turn around and quickly climb into the truck, letting Tank shut the door behind me. As he makes his way around to his side I chance a look in Shane’s direction and sure enough she’s having a complete silent meltdown in her front yard.

OH MY GOD.She mouths. All I can do is shrug as she takes her phone out of her pajama pant pocket and starts typing while staring straight at me so hard I think it’s digging into my soul.

Ding.

Shane

Emergency girls night.

Me

Um, I think I’m helping Tank move into my house tonight.

Shane

He’s a man. He’ll pack some underwear and ammo and he’s all set. Don’t try to get out of this.

Taylor

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